QUARRY Bank and Dunham Massey explore the legacy of the Peterloo Massacre 200 years on through newly-commissioned art work created by artist family Grace Surman and Gary Winters, and their children Hope and Merrick.

Responding to events on August 16, 1819 which led to loss of lives and injury to hundreds, the work focuses on ideas around protest, rights and responsibilities, freedom and the power to create change both then and now.

On August 16, 1819, a 60,000-strong crowd walked to the meeting point at St Peter’s Field in central Manchester to call for parliamentary representation.

While orator Henry Hunt was making his address local government forces charged into the crowd on horseback and with swords drawn, injuring 700 and killing 18 men, women and children.

Glorious Phantoms takes the form of two films, created and produced by the family, to be shown simultaneously at Dunham Massey and Quarry Bank from Saturday, July 13 to Sunday, September 29 as part of the visitor experience.

The films are specific to each place, with the project delving into their individual Peterloo stories at a time when there was considerable political unrest.

To understand these stories and how events unfolded 200 years ago, Grace, Gary, Hope and Merrick have worked with National Trust volunteers and historian Michala Hulme of Manchester Metropolitan University to research the connections.

Samuel Greg (1758-1834) and his son Robert Hyde Greg (1795-1875) were present at the Peterloo Massacre.

In addition to Quarry Bank, the family had a house on King Street and it is known Robert was in Manchester on the day of the protest, with research evidence suggesting he went to hear Henry Hunt speak.

At the trials that would follow he gave evidence that went against the governing view, stating that from where he stood he could not see people attacking the military, but that it was the military that attacked the people.

In the Dunham Massey film the artist family are seen in costume and interact with each other as portraits - hung unexpectedly in the Orangery.

The conversations they have as part of the film give an insight into a world illuminated by the volunteers’ research, but with a modern perspective.

At Quarry Bank it's the world of communities then and now that feature, with exploration around the notion of protest today and asking the question, what would you protest for?

Nine-year-old Merrick, himself a keen drummer, and the artist family join over 100 children from Styal Primary School to take part in a drumming experience.

Taking place in different locations and spaces around Quarry Bank, it’s a reminder of collective action, the power and energy of a community of people and marching bands whether protesting at Peterloo or in current times.